Live Steam

[MadLatvian]

Hornby shows live steam in OO gauge at Chicago show and nobody considers it important enough of a development (live steam in a small scale) to even mention? Comments?

[MadLatvian]

Hornby shows live steam in OO gauge at Chicago show and nobody considers it important enough of a development (live steam in a small scale) to even mention? Comments?

[jrbarney]

Mad,
I went to the Hornby site at <http://www.hornbyrailways.com> and learned that it is not DCC compatible, generates its steam using an immersion heater and has a duration of only 20 minutes. Assume someone will plumb in some tank cars/vans to extend the running time, and that the control box provides adequate control of the throttle and whistle functions. The price is 500 English pounds so many may find that a bit pricey. Will this be a fad, like the "cold steamers" that ran on dry ice, or will the live steamers embrace it. They didn't say if the immersion heater will brew a proper cup of tea - Earl Gray, please.
Bob

[jrbarney]

Mad,
I went to the Hornby site at <http://www.hornbyrailways.com> and learned that it is not DCC compatible, generates its steam using an immersion heater and has a duration of only 20 minutes. Assume someone will plumb in some tank cars/vans to extend the running time, and that the control box provides adequate control of the throttle and whistle functions. The price is 500 English pounds so many may find that a bit pricey. Will this be a fad, like the "cold steamers" that ran on dry ice, or will the live steamers embrace it. They didn't say if the immersion heater will brew a proper cup of tea - Earl Gray, please.
Bob

[IRONROOSTER]

Personally, if I was going to get into live steam, I would want something bigger. But each to his own. If it floats your boat, go for it. After all this is a hobby, do what's fun.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

Personally, if I was going to get into live steam, I would want something bigger. But each to his own. If it floats your boat, go for it. After all this is a hobby, do what's fun.
Enjoy
Paul

[AltonFan]

Actually live steam in O scale and No. 1 gauge is nothing new...

[AltonFan]

Actually live steam in O scale and No. 1 gauge is nothing new...

[Anonymous]

I've seen the OO scale A4 in several magazine articles, and while I agree that it should have been DCC-compatible, Hornby should be congratulated for this engineering feat. As mentioned before, it uses a small electric heater to create the steam, and it's though to have a running time of about 20 minutes, though that is likely to increase as the operator becomes more proficient - in the same way as you can make the contents of your car's fuel tank go further with careful driving. £500 is a little steep for me right now, but I'll be looking for them when I get my first job after graduating from University!

[Anonymous]

I've seen the OO scale A4 in several magazine articles, and while I agree that it should have been DCC-compatible, Hornby should be congratulated for this engineering feat. As mentioned before, it uses a small electric heater to create the steam, and it's though to have a running time of about 20 minutes, though that is likely to increase as the operator becomes more proficient - in the same way as you can make the contents of your car's fuel tank go further with careful driving. £500 is a little steep for me right now, but I'll be looking for them when I get my first job after graduating from University!

[joseph2]

Schmeisser has been making live steam in HO for two years.Looks nice but might be expensive.

[joseph2]

Schmeisser has been making live steam in HO for two years.Looks nice but might be expensive.

[aussiesteve]

20 minutes running time, hmm not much, but then if you run a fast clock controlled operating session at 5 or 6 to 1 that is equal to 100 to 120 minutes of running, very close to the real thing and it gives an excuse to take the loco to the servicing facilities which you could probably rig to properly refill the water anyway.

[aussiesteve]

20 minutes running time, hmm not much, but then if you run a fast clock controlled operating session at 5 or 6 to 1 that is equal to 100 to 120 minutes of running, very close to the real thing and it gives an excuse to take the loco to the servicing facilities which you could probably rig to properly refill the water anyway.

[Anonymous]

I have read that the Hornby's live steamer will run upwards of an hour at slower speeds. This is an excellent vehicle for Hornby to involve new people in the hobby as well as tap into the lucrative North American market. Kudos to Hornby.

[Anonymous]

I have read that the Hornby's live steamer will run upwards of an hour at slower speeds. This is an excellent vehicle for Hornby to involve new people in the hobby as well as tap into the lucrative North American market. Kudos to Hornby.